City to Use New Emergency Smog Measures

The city is planning to close down schools and limit the number of vehicles on roads by restricting through license plates once the Air Quality Index reaches more than 300. An emergency response plan was released by the local city government that divided that response to smog into three different levels that is based on the severity of the pollution and has also divided Shenzhen into western and central eastern regions.

Nanshan and Bao’an districts with Guangming and Longhua areas will be belong to the western region, while the six other districts and remaining new areas will be considered the central eastern region. Once the air quality index in the city reaches between 101 to 200 will indicate light to moderate pollution which will prompt the Shenzhen Government Information Office will give out health tips and suggestions on emission reducing measures such as control of dust in construction sites and promoting use of public transportation.

If the air quality index hits 201 to 300 indicates serious pollution and schoold will be advised to close or students will not be allowed to do outdoor activities, also diesel vehicles will be banned from streets and other vehicles will be banned based on odd and even license plates for at least 24 hours. The vehicle ban will not apply to vehicles such as fire engines, ambulances, buses, police vehicles and cross border vehicles.